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12th Vermicompost Congress in Region 12

By Leolito Siase/Celia Grospe
June 25, 2012

The 12th Vermicompost Congress was held at the ICTUS, Mountain Eco Lake Resort at Bacdulong, Lake Sebu in June 18-19, 2012. The Congress was attended by 200 vermicompost producers from the provinces of North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Saranggani. The Congress aims to identify leadership among the vermicompost producers of the region and to participate in pursuing the national thrust of the Department of Agriculture, the promotion of Organic Agriculture. Some of the issues brought out during the dialogue were: standardization of the procedures of vermicompost production, establishment of quality standards for vermicompost, packing procedures and strengthening of the researches on vermicompost production, vermicompost quality improvement and vermicompost utilization for enhanced crop production and improved soil health. The threats of the widespread soil degradation due to rampant use of oil-based agricultural chemicals has motivated Director Silvino Q. Tejada of the Bureau of Soil and Water Management to spearhead the rehabilitation of marginal agricultural soils via organic farming through the application of vermicompost and reduction in usage of chemical fertilizer into the farmlands.

Participants who have been successful in the vermicompost production shared their experiences and encouraged the neophytes to pursue the production as they believe there is “gold” in vermicompost production when seasoned with “sipag and tiyaga.”

To give more encouragement to the vermicompost producers, Ms. Babes Fernando, who is the national Focal Person for Organic Fertilizer Production Project announced the “Search for the Outstanding Compost Facility for 2012” and later discussed the criteria for selection.